Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has advised Sen. Ronald dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte to not fly to countries where the International Criminal Court (ICC) can “influence the judicial system” amid its push to investigate the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Remulla offered the advice when asked during a briefing on efforts of the executive branch to protect dela Rosa, who served as the Philippine National Police chief during the Duterte administration.
Remulla added that the same advice would be extended to the former president.
“They are citizens of the Republic who also need our protection. So we have to advise them properly,” he explained.
The justice chief noted that they would particularly advise against traveling to European countries.
In a statement, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said the ICC appeals chamber’s “failure to rule on jurisdiction” will be “a powerful argument for any person who may be investigated or charged” by the tribunal.
The government has long insisted that the ICC could no longer exercise jurisdiction over the country since the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019. Guevarra said that although the majority of the appeals chamber did not tackle the issue, two judges were of the view that the international court had already lost jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino told reporters that the Senate committee on justice and human rights, which he chairs, will hear proposed resolutions seeking to defend Dela Rosa and Duterte from the ICC probe.
Tolentino said he will talk to the Senate leadership about the schedule upon the resumption of session next week.
Even before the ICC disclosed its decision rejecting the Philippine government’s plea, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also said they would protect dela Rosa unless a local court issues an arrest warrant against him.
“If there’s no local warrant for his arrest, then he should be accorded the respect of a senator of the republic and be protected as such,” Zubiri said.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
